National Republican., 1887-05-06
The Moral Aspeots of the Tariff

The Moral Aspects of the Tariff.
TIE Hon. Ellis II. Roberts, of Utica, n.
Y, has written and printed in the Prince
ton RerieW an article upon "the moral as
poets of the tariff" which is one of the
ablest discussions of that question ever In
print. After showing that the government
in collecting the revenue should select that
method by which the people Of the country
would secure the greatest amount of pros
perity and the morals Of the country be
thus improved, he says: Here 1t is not
simple question of purpose and aim; 1t is
even more an inquiry into effects. 1t will
not be denied that the tendency Of pro-
tective policy is to introduce new occupa-
tions into country and to maintain
diversity Of industry. The result Is to en-
list talents that may have been Idle and to
develop skill that may have been hidden,
and so to multiply the energies as well as
the numbers employed in production. The
marvellous fertility Of the American people
in invention has been melted and fructiaed
by every new mechanical industry, by every
fresh effort to carry on artistic manufacture
or to apply science to daily use. A novel
handicraft, the building Of an additional
factory and the making Of wares before
bought abroad, are each bugle calls to
genius to design better methods, to cheaper
production, to economize labor. Civiliza-
tion needs agriculture, but II does not reach
its fullest flower where that is the only vo-
cation. Where industry is most varied,
where artisans are busy with all that inven
ton has proffered and science has gathered,
and art joins hands with mechanism, the
development of material prosperity leads
in intellectual progress, and trains broader
and higher humanity That which divers.-
fes manufactures, which helps to differ
entiate men, which aids in lifting society
where thought and action catch the rays of
the sun at midday, must strengthen, must
even give noble forms to intellectual life.
The criticism is familiar that protective
duties foster monopolies and extend
favoritism to particular industries. The
claim assumes that only merchandise
which comes in direct competition with
articles subject to imposts feel the impetus
of such duties. So far as the tariff adds to
the volume Of employment, 1t creates a
demand for labor that increases wages and
improves our markets for all commodities.
The earnings of labor are In equilibrium In
all similar occupations In this country, or
are seeking that state. The withdrawal Of
men from the farm to the factory causes
an advance In the pay of the farm laborer;
and the erection Of mill where none ex-
listed before opens the way for operatives
to get new situations and to demand better
remunerations. The tariff must levy the
same rates on all imports identical in ma
terial and workmanship; and, just in so far
as 1t checks importation, it opens home
markets to all alike. While 1t collects q
certain admission fee from foreigners, 1t
leaves the whole field absolutely free to
our citizens.
The measure OF wealth is the excess OF
production above consumption. This ex'
cess the advocates Of protection seek by all
means to create and to increase. They
summon every man to the field or the fac
tory they create the conditions by which
he may find employment and market
they study to render labor remuneratlve,
and to turn the horn of abundance into the
lap of the people.
They seek results which affect the higher
interests Of humanity Full lardcrs and
comfortable clothing are conditions OF
happy homes. They build schools, the
nurseries OF intelligence, and open and at
tractive churches arise to express genuine
thankfulness. In every land and in every
age the altar receives the sacrifices for
focks and harvests, the flrstlings Of pro-
duction. Human aspirations ascend in
stinctively with the smoke and the incense
Even in raising revenue, the statesman
has q right--it is, indeed, his patriotic
duty-not simply to get money for thu
treasury, but, even In that prosaic task, tt
develop manhood and foster civilization
He may properly inquire, not coldly anC
mathematically, how a particular measure
will affect the stern law OF supply and de-
mand, but how 1t will bear upon homes
and families, whether 1t will add to or di-
minish the comforts OF parents and wife
whether 1t will bless the children with bet
ter food and clothing, and provide fol
them a more thorough education; whcthGr
In a word, 1t will contribute to the promo
ton Of morality and virtue, to the worth o
people, as well as to the grandeur aut
power Of a nation. For while 1t is legiti
mate business to get money honestly, 1t Il
common privilege, and 1t ought to be tn,
ambition Of rulers and their advisers t;
train men, and to plant and adorn homes.
The surest guarantee for order and foI
progress is in the homestead owned by the
mechanic and operative, by every man who
works for wages, and that guarantee can
not be created unless there is margin IL
the rewards for labor above the bare cost OF
food and sustenance. For the title to tht
homestead betokens thrift and prudence
reliance upon the future, provision upon
old age and for the growing family.
The assumption is therefore wholly un
authorized that any funds are voted by {
tariff for the promotion Of industries. Tht
estimate sometimes put forth that tht
whole duty is collected from the consumer
in excess Of the cost and dealers profits
aud that like charge is imposed on home
products designed for like use is absurd
In the light OF the trade reports Of this aud
other countries. Instances are at hand